This photo was taken the morning of this post in Deep Creek Lake, MD.

Dear Gracious and Merciful God,

Thank You for the new mercies this morning. When we think about all that could have happened between last night’s going to bed and this morning’s rising, we say thank You! What a blessing it is to wake up recognizing that You did it again! Your hand of mercy has been upon us, Your grace is amazing! You are faithful and loving and kind! There is one more day in the rearview mirror and another right in front of us! Thank You for this new day.

Today, I am mindful of the beauty of Your creation. The heavens do declare Your glory and the mountains give us a glimpse of Your majesty! Who are we that You are mindful of us and that You consider us and hear our cries? Thank You, O God, that You are trustworthy and true! You are a Way-maker. You are a Provider. You are a Healer. You are a Deliverer. You are a Refuge and Present Help in the time of trouble. You are the Lover of our Souls. Thank You! We are grateful to be created in Your image and likeness and called Your very own.

Help us to be better stewards of all that You have entrusted to us. We have sometimes taken advantage of Your bounty. We have been wasteful. We have been careless. We have exploited the resources You have given to us. We have not considered our neighbor, or our children or our children’s children in our choices. Forgive us. Even as we declare that the earth is Yours and the fullness thereof, we also ask that we would be reminded to treat it as such.

We lift up Your people in the Bahamas and Puerto Rico, in Kenya, South Sudan and other parts of East Africa, in Venice, Italy and across the global village who are impacted by climate disasters. We pray for those in places affected by wildfires and floods. We pray that they would be encouraged today. Millions have lost everything they have. Let resources and help to rebuild come from unexpected places. Instead of devastation, let them see new possibilities and let those possibilities come to pass. Make a way out of no way for them, O God. Thank You for those who have pitched in to help. Thank You for those who continue to pray. Move on all of our hearts to do our part and to advocate for others to do the same!

We pray also for those in Flint, Mich. and other parts of our country and world where it wasn’t a natural disaster but human error and greed that brought calamity. God, we don’t know how it can be fixed but we pray in this season of miracles that an answer would come. We pray for those who are in a position of authority and choose not to act as well as for those who need the courage to act on behalf of those in need. Let a change come and may it come quickly that Your people can prosper in all things even as our souls prosper in You.

And, God, we recognize today that there will be another rainy season, another hurricane season and another disaster of our own making. In Your great mercy, hear our prayers that these storms will pass us by. However, when they do come, we pray that we would be ready and that our preparation would include responses that reflect the dignity and worth of all people, no matter the circumstances.

Keep us, O God, and we know we shall be kept.

It is in Your matchless and miraculous Name, Jesus, we pray. Amen.